Hollywood Oks Smoke Detector Law

HOLLYWOOD — City commissioners gave final approval to a controversial smoke detector law Wednesday that has been denounced as unsafe by state Fire Marshal Dennis Dewar.

Commissioners said Dewar`s concerns are unfounded and that the new law provides greater safety to residents than similar laws across Florida.

The law requires landlords to install battery-powered smoke detectors in existing apartments.

Depending on the number of units in a building, landlords can be forced to hook the detectors into an electrical system only after receiving between two and five warnings that the battery-powered detectors haven`t been maintained.

In the past, landlords could be forced to install detectors into a building`s electrical system if city inspectors found just one case of a malfunctioning detector.

The law also allows the city to fine both tenants and landlords as much as $500 and jail them for 90 days if they fail to maintain their dwellings battery-powered detectors. In the past, only landlords could be fined and jailed.

Dewar, who was unavailable for comment Wednesday, has said state law requires all smoke detectors to be wired into electrical systems.